Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NKU

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
Location Magnolia, AR Highland Heights, KY
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,094 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #868 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
Tuition (In State) $7,020 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $12,450 $20,464
Room & Board $7,809 $11,248
Avg Net Price $14,056 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $9,316 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,916 6,905
Admitted 1,855 5,939
Acceptance Rate 63.6% 86%
Enrolled % 38.1% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 19/25
SAT Range 905/1190 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
Graduation Rate 34% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $175 $257

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
% Men 45% 36%
% Women 55% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 82%
% Black 28% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
% In-State 70% 66%
% Out-of-State 29% 26%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus NKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 5,094 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 45.4% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.4% higher at NKU than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($20,464.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($7,259 vs. $14,056)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 44% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($7,809 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 21% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,275 vs. $9,316)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 80 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or NKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NKU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (37% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $7,930 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $24,950)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $82 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($175 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/